The Marine Conservation and Development Program in Apo Island started in 1984 with the following objectives:

1. to establish a fishery breeding sanctuary;
2. to increase abundance of coral reef fish, increase fish diversity, document fish yield, transfer knowledge and skills on marine resource management; and,
3. to establish a community group that will take charge of the conservation and management of the island’s coastal resources.

Positive results have been observed in the different aspects of the program. Total coral cover and fish species and abundance increased significantly, mostly due to lack of fishing pressure. More importantly, the residents of the island has appreciated the importance of establishing the fish sanctuary and understood its role as the breeding and nursery for fish, and become active participants in the protection of the island’s resources.

The results of this pioneering experiment in community-based coastal resource management – in terms of regenerating the natural resources and generating collective community action to protect and manage these resources – have been generally encouraging that served to form further initiatives in small-island marine reserve establishment. The program was duplicated in two neighboring islands, Pamilacan and Balicasag Islands of Bohol Province.

basic info  |  initiative  |  strategy  |  critical factors  |  other links  |  home